Fold

Chapter 4

I run my fingers through my hair and apply another coat of lip gloss when I catch my reflection in the mirrored walls of the elevator. Given everything that happened at my Na

I was looking forward to getting some rest after I landed, but Juan informed me that Porn Rub and Pretty Kitties pla

He told me if I didn't put on the dress I accidentally packed in my haste to make it to the airport on time, get dolled up, and meet him at the bar in the next hour for a drink—he would torture me by singing show tunes for the duration of our Vegas trip.

So, here I am. Wearing some black, tight, strapless dress that hugs every curve and flaw of mine—and pondering when the best time to ask my homosexual work friend to marry me for money would be as I step off the elevator and make my way to the bar.

The music is pumping so loud and the colorful lights are so blinding, I don't see Juan until he yanks my hand and pulls me over to him.

“Ah! You're here!” he screams over the music before turning to the handsome and visibly uncomfortable guy standing beside him. “Kit this is my new friend Ronald. And Ronald, this is my friend Kit I was telling you about.”

The man looks me up and down, appearing perplexed. “I thought you said she was a lesbian.”

“Oh my God, Ronald.” Juan laughs hysterically and the man flushes with embarrassment. “She is, honey. They don't all wear fla

I cross my arms. “Some of us even bathe, put on deodorant, and pee sitting down.”

I leave out that I do enjoy wearing fla

“I'm sorry,” the man says. “I didn't expect you to be so pretty is all.”

I should probably be offended by his statement, but the sincere look on his face tells me he means no harm.

Juan leans into him. “Ronald does IT for Porn Rub and doesn't get out much. Being social isn't his strong suit.”

The man nods sheepishly. “It's true. I haven't been out in years. Sometimes I forget what it's like to have conversations with people face to face.”

“I totally get it; my dad was into computers and he preferred them over people too.” I smile. “Juan here is a social butterfly, but don't let that scare you off. He's a great catch—” I stop talking when Juan gives me a look.

I'm about to pull him aside and ask what his deal is, but he turns to Ronald and says, “Would you be a peach and get us a drink at the bar?”

When Ronald leaves, Juan leans down and whispers, “He's married.”

“Really?” I look up at him. “Wow, that sucks.”

He holds up a finger. “To a woman.”

I'm pretty sure my mouth hits the floor. Juan could give my best friend Breslin and her complicated relationship a run for her money right about now.

He pouts. “I'm almost positive he's gay, though.” He looks around. “Why else would a married man flirt with men?”

He has a point. Then again, I know my own gaydar has been off a time or two. Usually due to wishful thinking on my part after meeting a smoking hot girl. It sounds like Juan's caught a bad case of it himself.

“Maybe he’s really friendly. You know, for someone who’s antisocial.”

He raises a shoulder in a shrug. “Who knows. He said he brought his wife to Vegas, but he left their hotel room early this morning and hasn't spoken to her since. He's basically been wandering around by himself today. When I asked him why, he said he didn't want to talk about it.”

Something is definitely fishy there. “Maybe they got into a fight.” I reach for his arm. “Either way—not your circus, not your monkeys. Let's go find our co-workers.”

He looks straight ahead. “We don't have to go far.”

He's right because when I turn around, I see Marge dancing with people I've never met before. And Jimmy, the accountant, who never says a word to anyone is telling jokes to a few people at the far end of the bar. The rest of my co-workers are all mingling and enjoying themselves.

This is by far one of the most successful meet and greets I've ever been to.

Too bad I can't wait to leave.

“I really like him,” Juan whines. “I know this whole thing is strange, but there's something between us.”

It's all I can do not to roll my eyes. “Don't pursue it, dude. You only met him an hour ago and so far, the only things you know about him is one—he keeps to himself a lot. And two—he's potentially lying to his wife about his sexuality and cheating on her. Those are pretty much key traits of a serial killer.” I poke him in the ribs. “For all we know, he left their room after he chopped up his wife's body and—”

“I didn't,” Ronald says behind me. When we turn to face him, he shoves the two glasses he's holding at me. “Here are your drinks. Have a nice night.”

Juan's face falls as he walks away. “Thanks a lot, Kit.”

“I'm sorry, I—”

Juan doesn't hear my apology because he stalks off after Ronald.

Perfect. I've managed to not only piss off my one and only friend at work, but my future ex-husband.

I'm about to leave myself, but then it happens.

The smoke clears, birds start chirping, and I'm pretty sure the cylinder-shaped bar overlooking Las Vegas that I'm currently standing in tilts.

She’s the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in my life.

And that's just on a regular Thursday at the office. But tonight?

Jess is out of this world hot. Something she has to be aware of because every single person in the bar is staring at her.

Or maybe not, because she's too busy staring at...

Well, shit. The hottest boss in the history of hottest bosses is staring right at me. Instantly, I guzzle one of the drinks in my hand. I've made it a point not to consume alcohol since the incident with the Brazilian model, but if I don't have some kind of liquid courage right now, I will blow my shot with her.

I'm about to down my second drink and walk over, but I freeze when it hits me.

I'm supposed to be getting married...to a guy.

I can't flirt with my boss who's making bedroom eyes and giving me a come-hither stare. No matter how much I want to hither. There's no way she's going to pursue anything with a girl who's married.

I suppose I could tell her about the inheritance in hopes she'll understand—but I'm not sure if I'm ready to disclose that yet.

The last thing I need is to fall for another gold-digger who will use me.

Not that Jess is one, she isn't. I'm ninety-nine percent certain of it. But that one percent? It's burned me before.

I have the scars to prove it, and the welts on my heart that serve as my constant reminder so I never forget.

Which is why I need to make sure that the next time I fall...someone is waiting to catch me.

Someone who won't let me crash.

Someone who can give me something real.

Someone who's madly, deeply in love with every single part of me...not just the parts that benefit them.

My heart won't survive another parasite like Becca again. It barely did the first time.

Jess could very well be the love of my life, but unfortunately, I'll never know—because my Na